BELOEIL, QC, July 12, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Demers Ambulances is pleased to announce that it has been awarded two major contracts by British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS), the ambulance service operated by the government of British Columbia, for the design and manufacture of two new ambulance models.

The total value of the two contracts is in the tens of millions of dollars, making them among the largest in the history of Demers Ambulances.

This first contract is for a new, more technological and ergonomic model of ambulance designed for single-patient care in urban settings. The second contract involves the manufacturing of a vehicle capable of transporting more than one patient. This second model will mainly be used in rural areas where multiple patients are often simultaneously transported to urban centers.

The contracts will be carried out over period of three years, with an option for two additional years and a potential production of up to 400 units by 2017. These contracts follow a previous mandate awarded to Demers Ambulances in 2009 by BCAS, for which nearly 250 ambulances were produced and delivered for use during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. These new contracts will maintain production levels at Demers Ambulances and even allow for the hiring of new staff, both within the company and at certain Quebec and Canadian providers.

"This award reflects the confidence of BCAS in our team and our ability to produce quality products," said Alain Brunelle, President and CEO of Demers Ambulances. "We look forward to working in collaboration with BCAS once again to develop vehicles on the cutting edge of technology that harnesses the talents of our engineers and that will improve patient care."

The design phase is already underway and 30 units should be produced by the end of 2012.

About Demers Ambulances

Demers, Ambulance Manufacturer Inc. (Demers Ambulances) is the Canadian leader in ambulance design, manufacture and distribution and one of the largest firms in North America. With 50 years of success, Demers sold more than 15,000 ambulances to customers in over 20 countries. With advanced products that consistently meet and exceed expectations of emergency services specialists around the world, Demers Ambulances is recognized as an innovator in ambulance engineering, introducing and perfecting details that keep paramedics and occupants safe while meeting today's global challenges.

Demers Ambulances is accredited ISO 9001:2008 and by Transport Canada and the USA DOT, by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) in the USA within their "MEMBER VERIFICATION PROGRAM" and recognized as a "QUALIFIED VEHICLES MODIFIER" (QVM) by the Ford Motor Company and, approved up fitter for Mercedes Benz Sprinter Customer Assurance Program, Demers Ambulances meets the highest standards in the industry. To learn more about Demers Ambulances, visit www.demers-ambulances.com